CHINESE09 Chinese studies

The Chinese studies program is designed to enable you to develop a high level of communicative competence in the Chinese (Mandarin) language, including translation skills. Chinese studies offers instruction in the Chinese language from several possible entrance levels, catering for students ranging from introductory to advanced proficiency, and including background and non-background speakers of Chinese. You will develop proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and research skills appropriate to your level and the program is intended to facilitate increasingly independent research in Chinese studies.

To ensure that you are placed in the most appropriate level according to your individual profile and the best outcome you can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study. Once your place is determined, you will progress through the language units in a designated stream. At each level, you have the option to enrol in an intensive in-country program as part of your stream component.

For students with an advanced level of Chinese language proficiency, a translation stream is available in addition to the mainstream language stream.

In addition to the compulsory language units, you will undertake studies on Chinese culture, history and politics and will be introduced to the language and issues of Chinese and international current affairs. You will also develop research and language skills to facilitate research through the medium of the Chinese language Internet.

Right of School to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment
The Chinese studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. You are not permitted to accelerate your enrolment without first consulting the program convenor, nor can you elect to take classes that are below your proficiency level.

You must sequentially progress through the language unit levels eg. Introductory, Intermediate, Proficient and Advanced. You are not permitted to take classes that are below your tested language proficiency level.

Students with advanced language proficiency
If you wish to undertake a Chinese studies major and you have completed VCE first language or second language advanced, or you have attended a school where Chinese was the language of instruction, you should consult the Chinese studies program for advice.

Overseas study
You can replace language units with equivalent language study overseas in semester one, semester two, summer semester, or over a full year, at approved partner institutions in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. You must obtain approval from the Chinese program before enrolling in language study overseas units. You can similarly replace units through the China intensive language program. For a list of units, refer to the Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics Study Abroad webpage.

Availability
Chinese studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Clayton as a major and a minor, and in A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.